Unexpected

Chapter 3-Insley

"So you're moving?" Ingrid asks, her eyes filled with curiosity as she leans against the nurse's station.

She's my favorite nurse so far. We talk about anything and everything. That girl doesn't have a filter.

I nod, a heavy sigh escaping me. "Next month. Chris needs to be at the branch in Ohio. I want to be annoyed, especially since I haven't even hit my five-year mark here. But I signed up for it. When I married him, I knew there was a chance we'd have to move."

With her dark skin and lean figure, Ingrid could pass as a supermodel any day. She laughs in my face when I once mentioned that to her.

"Maybe he could ask his company to stay here? I mean, he's been a loyal employee."

I frown, fingers idly tracing patterns on my clipboard. "He doesn't have that seniority yet. He needs to wait until a man higher up retires his position."

Chris's company is small, only has a handful of workers per branch and a few traveling. He has to wait until a permanent position is open that he could fill, and who knows when and where that would be?

I look over my notes. I'm in the NICU tonight, but since it isn't too busy. I only have one baby, who I've just fed and changed. I have a few moments to sit and ponder my life.

"I'm sure it will be fun, moving, and all of that. Think of it from a more optimistic viewpoint. You get to see the country with a job in high demand."

I appreciate Ingrid's positivity, but I know that in the end, I'll have to come to terms with the reassignment. I thought I had more time here. I befriended our neighbors, and I could finally go everywhere around town without GPS.

"Where did you say he was getting relocated?" Ingrid asks, pulling open Google on her computer.

"Toledo, Ohio," I mutter.

She types in the city and pulls it up. She gives a contorted stare as she looks at her computer. "Well, the surrounding suburbs look nice. Maybe you can convince him to live in, uh, Perrysburg, or Sylvania. I'm sure it will be much better than life here."

I peek over her shoulder as she scrolls through available houses in the area. It doesn't look bad. The area looks nice. The idea of redecorating a home does spark some interest in me. I've always liked making things look pretty and appreciated the outcome.

Logan curls up at my feet once I sit with tea. Chris will be home momentarily, and I know we have to talk. I've already put in my two weeks with the hospital and applied to a local hospital in the Toledo area. I hate sudden change, but I know it's for the best. I want to go with Chris, wherever that might lead.

I'm halfway through reading a book when Chris walks in the door. He looks tired as he collapses on the sofa beside me, still wearing his suit. He loosens his tie and exhales.

"I said goodbye to my buddies at work today. I didn't expect it to hurt as much as it did," he says.

I grab his hand with tenderness. I understand where he's coming from. I've just done the same thing the night prior. I spent this morning packing some boxes and looking at possible new living arrangements.

"I'm sorry, honey. I know it can be a lot," I reply.

Chris leans over and kisses my cheek. "Thank you for understanding, Ins; I promise we can make the most of the move."

I settle into his embrace, curling my legs up to my chest. Logan flops onto his side on the floor. I'm tempted to call him into my lap.

"I looked at some houses; I like Sylvania. It looks like it would be a good place for us, and it has a ton of areas where we could walk Logan."

Chris strokes my hair lightly, which sends shivers down my spine. "I think it is a wonderful idea, I want you to be somewhere where you feel at home."

"I already applied to the hospital there last night, hopefully, they get back to me rather soon."

Toledo Hospital does look rather nice, and it seems like a good place to work. There are a few positions open in the NICU, so I don't hesitate applying as soon as possible.

Chris wraps his arm around my stomach, pulling me toward him. "I already contacted a moving company, it should hopefully be a smooth process."

The possibility of tomorrow always frightens me, but at the same time, it also excites me. It feels like there is so much time on our hands, like we will live in this state of bliss for eternity. It may seem unrealistic, considering the fact that time never stops, no matter how hard you try to fight it.

"Hey, do you want this?" Chris asks, holding up a purple vase.

I shake my head. "No, we can get rid of it. I never put it up anyways."

The sight of Chris leaning over a pile of books we had planned on taking with us is enough to make my heart skip a beat. He focuses intensely on each and every book, mumbling to himself about if the book is good or not. I pick myself up off the floor where I was wrapping our coffee mugs and crystal glasses and walk over to him. I wrap my arms around him, and rest my head on his back.

"Don't stress yourself out; the move isn't going to be that bad," I murmur.

He twists around so that he can face me. "I know, Insley. I just want everything to be perfect, you deserve to be happy, and feel at home no matter where we go."

I lean into his chest, feeling his strong arms wrap around me. "I just worry about you, Chris. You're acting like this move will make or break our marriage. I just want you to know that I will be with you regardless of where we are. I love you."

Chris cups my face, his eyes flicker from my eyes to my mouth. "Maybe we will be able to have a couple of kids once we get to Ohio."

His comment makes my stomach roll; there is nothing else on this earth that I'd rather do.

I lean forward, pressing my lips to his. "Perfect."